Currently at the Memorial & Museum

Former President Clinton Joins Memorial's New Honorary National Board of Trustees

May 02, 2009

Former President Bill Clinton will join other prominent figures from around the country on an honorary National Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The announcement was made at a special presentation at the Memorial Museum honoring Clinton for his support. The former President also toured the Memorial Museum for the first time. This was President Clinton's fifth visit to the site.

"Oklahoma City changed the world in ways we can never fully appreciate. The work (the Memorial) is doing today is just as important as the day it started," President Clinton told a crowd of Memorial trustees, donors, family members, survivors and rescue workers. "I don't think you can possibly imagine the gift you gave us. We are far more likely now to realize we are all much more alike than different. We go forward together."

The Honorary National Board of Trustees will work with the Memorial’s own board and Memorial staff to further the Memorial’s mission of remembrance and education on a national level.

“President Clinton has a deep and personal history with this event, and his presence on the national board will provide both historic perspective and the committed passion of someone who bore witness to both the tragedy and to the hope this place represents for future generations,” said Bill Scheihing, Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation Chairman.

Joining President Clinton on the Memorial’s Honorary National Board of Trustees are former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge; Rev. Billy Graham, who led the inspirational and healing National Prayer Service on April 23, 1995; Gov. Frank and Cathy Keating, whose leadership at the time of the bombing showed the nation what Oklahomans are made of, and Lee Woodruff, author and Family/Life Contributor to Good Morning America, whose own journey as a family member of someone critically injured in a bombing incident gives her unique perspective.

President Clinton was also given a Beacon of Hope Award for the “extraordinary support” he has given the Memorial. The piece is made of wood turned from a branch trimmed from the Survivor Tree last spring, placed on a base of granite salvaged from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Oklahoma woodworking artist and program director at the Forest Heritage Center of Oklahoma Doug Zook crafted the piece.

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